Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device

ABSTRACT

A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes a bottom electrode, a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a free layer and a top electrode. The bottom electrode and the top electrode are facing each other. The reference layer, the tunnel barrier layer and the free layer are stacked from the bottom electrode to the top electrode, wherein the free layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a spacer and a second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer is sandwiched by the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer includes oxidized spacer sidewall parts, the first ferromagnetic layer includes first oxidized sidewall parts, and the second ferromagnetic layer includes second oxidized sidewall parts. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device inserting a spacer and manufacturing method thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) is a type of memory device containing an array of MRAM cells that store data using resistance values instead of electronic charges. Each MRAM cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit whose resistance can be adjusted to represent a logic state “0” or “1.”

Conventionally, the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit is comprised of a fixed magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, and a tunnel layer disposed there between. The resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit can be adjusted by changing a direction of a magnetic moment of the free magnetic layer with respect to that of the fixed magnetic layer. When the magnetic moment of the free magnetic layer is parallel to that of the fixed magnetic layer, the resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit is low, whereas when the magnetic moment of the free magnetic layer is anti-parallel to that of the fixed magnetic layer, the resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit is high. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) unit is coupled between top and bottom electrodes, and an electric current flowing through the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) from one electrode to another can be detected to determine the resistance, and therefore the logic state of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and manufacturing method thereof, which forms a free layer having a spacer sandwiched by ferromagnetic layers, wherein the spacer and these ferromagnetic layers include oxidized sidewall parts. Therefore, stray field is reduced and device reliability is improved.

The present invention provides a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device including a bottom electrode, a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a free layer and a top electrode. The bottom electrode and the top electrode are facing each other. The reference layer, the tunnel barrier layer and the free layer are stacked from the bottom electrode to the top electrode, wherein the free layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a spacer and a second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer is sandwiched by the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer includes oxidized spacer sidewall parts, the first ferromagnetic layer includes first oxidized sidewall parts, and the second ferromagnetic layer includes second oxidized sidewall parts.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device including the following steps. A substrate is provided. A bottom electrode layer, a blanket reference layer, a blanket tunnel barrier layer, a blanket first ferromagnetic layer, a spacer layer, a blanket second ferromagnetic layer and a top electrode layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. The top electrode layer, the blanket second ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer, the blanket first ferromagnetic layer, the blanket tunnel barrier layer, the blanket reference layer and the bottom electrode layer are patterned to form a bottom electrode, a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a free layer, which is composed by a first ferromagnetic layer, a spacer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a top electrode on the substrate. A selective oxidation process is performed to only oxidize the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer and the Second ferromagnetic layer, to form oxidized spacer sidewall parts of the spacer, first oxidized sidewall parts of the first ferromagnetic layer, and second oxidized sidewall parts of the second ferromagnetic layer.

According to the above, the present invention provides a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and manufacturing method thereof, which forms a free layer having a spacer sandwiched by a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer includes oxidized spacer sidewall parts, the first ferromagnetic layer includes first oxidized sidewall parts, and the second ferromagnetic layer includes second oxidized sidewall parts. Therefore, the magnetic part of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device has a step shape, which has lower stray field, stable magnetic field, and improved device reliability.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts a top view and cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit layout including magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 schematically depicts a top view and cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit layout including magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5 schematically depict cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a dielectric layer 110 and contact plugs 10 therein are disposed on a substrate (not shown), a cap layer (not shown), a dielectric layer (not shown), or a stacked structure etc. The dielectric layer 110 may be an oxide layer, and each of the contact plugs 10 may include a metal plug surrounded by a barrier layer, wherein the metal may include tungsten while the barrier layer may include titanium nitride or tantalum nitride, depending upon practical requirements. Then, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 120 is formed to blanketly cover the dielectric layer 110 and the contact plugs 10, wherein the magnetic tunnel junction layer 120 may include a bottom electrode 122, a reference layer 123, a tunnel barrier layer 124, a free layer 125 and a top electrode 126 stacked from bottom to top. The bottom electrode 122 and the top electrode 126 may include a conductive material, such as, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium, tantalum, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing; the reference layer 123 may include CoFeB alloys, CoFe based alloys, Heusler alloys or combinations, the tunnel barrier layer 124 may include magnesium oxide. In the present invention, the free layer 125 includes a first ferromagnetic layer 125 a, a spacer 125 b and a second ferromagnetic layer 125 c. The spacer 125 b is sandwiched by the first ferromagnetic layer 125 a and the second ferromagnetic layer 125 c. The first ferromagnetic layer 125 a and the second ferromagnetic layer 125 c may include CoFeB layers, and the spacer may include Ta, Hf, Zr, V, W, Cr or Mn, but it is not limited thereto. Furthermore, a barrier cap layer 127 and a metal cap layer 128 may be optionally and sequentially formed on the free layer 125 while the magnetic tunnel junction layer 120 is formed. Preferably, the barrier cap layer 127 may be a magnesium oxide layer, and the metal cap layer 128 may include tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), ruthenium (Ru) and above combinations, but it is not limited thereto.

Then, the magnetic tunnel junction layer 120 is patterned to form magnetic tunnel junction elements 120 b, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, a hard mask layer (not shown) may cover the top electrode 126, and the top electrode 126 may be patterned to form a top electrode 126 a by patterning the hard mask layer (not shown) to form a hard mask 130, and then transferring the pattern of the hard mask 130 to the top electrode 126.

Thereafter, the remaining magnetic tunnel junction layer 120 a is patterned by transferring the patterns of the top electrode 126 a and the hard mask 130, and therefore the magnetic tunnel junction elements 120 b are formed, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the magnetic tunnel junction elements 120 b includes a bottom electrode 122 b, a reference layer 123 b, a tunnel barrier layer 124 b, a free layer 125 b, a barrier cap layer 127 b, a metal cap layer 128 b and the top electrode 126 a stacked from bottom to top, wherein the free layer 125 b is composed by a first ferromagnetic layer 125 ba, a spacer 125 bb and a second ferromagnetic layer 125 bc, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, a selective oxidation process P is performed to only oxidize the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ba, the spacer 125 bb and the second ferromagnetic layer 125 bc, to form a free layer 125 c including oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 of a spacer 125 cb, first oxidized sidewall parts Q2 of a first ferromagnetic layer 125 ca, and second oxidized sidewall parts Q3 of a second ferromagnetic layer 125 cc. The first oxidized sidewall parts Q2 and the second oxidized sidewall parts Q3 include CoFeB oxide layers disposed on two opposite sidewalls S2 of the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ca and two opposite sidewalls S3 of the second ferromagnetic layer 125 cc respectively. The oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 are disposed on two opposite sidewalls S1 of the spacer 125 cb. Hence, stray field is low, the magnetic field induced by the reference layer 123 b and the free layer 125 c is stable, and therefore the reliability of a formed device is improved.

Preferably, the selective oxidation process P is a high pressure process, and the pressure is preferably 1-20 torrs, to control the oxidizing rates by adjusting the ratio of oxidizing gas and inert gas imported during the selective oxidation process P is performed. Still preferably, N₂O or O₂ is imported for serving as oxidation agent during the selective oxidation process P is performed to oxidize the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ba, the spacer 125 bb and the second ferromagnetic layer 125 bc, wherein N₂O or O₂ is easily absorbed at interfaces of the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ba, the spacer 125 bb and the second ferromagnetic layer 125 bc such as interfaces of CoFeB/MgO; inert gas is imported during the selective oxidation process P is performed to dilute oxidant agent for controlling flow field in order to preventing over-oxidation. Preferably, Ar, Kr, Xe, N₂ or He is imported during the selective oxidation process P is performed.

By applying the present invention, due to the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 being formed by oxidation, sidewalls T1 of the spacer 125 cb, sidewalls T2 of the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ca and sidewalls T3 of the second ferromagnetic layers 125 cc are trimmed with sidewalls T4 of the reference layer 123 b and sidewalls T5 of the tunnel barrier layer 124 b. Preferably, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 are 1%˜20% of the spacer 125 cb. Still preferably, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 are 5% of the spacer 125 cb to optimize the purpose of the present invention. As the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 are larger than 20%, resistance may too high. In this case, sidewalls S1 of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 are trimmed (aligned) with sidewalls S2 of the first oxidized sidewall parts Q2 and sidewalls S3 of the second oxidized sidewall parts Q3, but the present invention is not restricted thereto. In another case, as shown in FIG. 6, widths W1 of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 a are thinner than widths W2 of the first oxidized sidewall parts Q2 and widths W3 of the second oxidized sidewall parts Q3. In another case, as shown in FIG. 7, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 b have indent sharp corners. The three structures can be carried out by choosing oxidation agent during the selective oxidation process P, and the using of these structures depends upon practical requirements.

As shown in FIG. 5, a dielectric cap layer 20 may be optionally deposited to conformal cover the bottom electrode 122 b, the reference layer 123 b, the tunnel barrier layer 124 b, the first ferromagnetic layer 125 ca, the spacer 125 cb, the second ferromagnetic layer 125 cc, the barrier cap layer 127 b, the metal cap layer 128 b and the top electrode 126 a. The dielectric cap layer 20 may include silicon nitride (SiN), silicon carbide nitride (SiCN), or aluminum nitride (AlN) etc.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts a top view and cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit layout including magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8(a), an integrated circuit layout 200 may include a logic area 201, a dense area 202 and an isolated area 203. FIG. 8(b) depicts a part of the dense area 202 and FIG. 8(c) depicts a part of the isolated area 203. As a selective oxidation process being a high pressure soaking process is performed, widths W4 of inner sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 c in the dense area 202, widths W5 of external sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 c in the dense area 202, and widths W6 of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 d in the isolated area 203 are similar.

FIG. 9 schematically depicts a top view and cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit layout including magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9(a), an integrated circuit layout 200 a may include a logic area 201 a, a dense area 202 a and an isolated area 203 a. FIG. 9(b) depicts a part of the dense area 202 a and FIG. 9(c) depicts a part of the isolated area 203 a. As a selective oxidation process being a low pressure soaking process is performed, widths W41 of inner sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 cl in the dense area 202 a are less than or equal to widths W51 of external sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 cl in the dense area 202 a, and widths W41 of inner sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 cl in the dense area 202 a are less than or equal to widths W61 of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 dl in the isolated area 203 a. And, widths W51 of external sides of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 cl in the dense area 202 a are less than widths W61 of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts Q1 dl in the isolated area 203 a.

To summarize, the present invention provides a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and manufacturing method thereof, which forms a free layer having a spacer sandwiched by a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer includes oxidized spacer sidewall parts, the first ferromagnetic layer includes first oxidized sidewall parts, and the second ferromagnetic layer includes second oxidized sidewall parts. Therefore, the magnetic part of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device has a step shape, which has lower stray field, stable magnetic field, and improved device reliability.

Moreover, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are preferably 1%˜20% of the spacer, and are still preferably 5% of the spacer to optimize said purpose of the present invention. Sidewalls of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are trimmed with sidewalls of the first oxidized sidewall parts and sidewalls of the second oxidized sidewall parts; or, widths of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are thinner than widths of the first oxidized sidewall parts and widths of the second oxidized sidewall parts; or, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts have indent sharp corners, depend upon practical requirements.

Furthermore, the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device may be formed by performing a selective oxidation process to only oxidize the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer and the second ferromagnetic layer, to form oxidized spacer sidewall parts of the spacer, first oxidized sidewall parts of the first ferromagnetic layer, and second oxidized sidewall parts of the second ferromagnetic layer. The selective oxidation process is preferably a high pressure process, and the pressure is 1-20 torrs for controlling oxidizing. Still preferably, N₂O or O₂ is imported during the selective oxidation process for serving as oxidant agent and inert gas is imported during the selective oxidation process for diluting the oxidant agent, thereby preventing the spacer and ferromagnetic layers from over-oxidation.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, comprising: a bottom electrode and a top electrode facing each other; and a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer and a free layer stacked from the bottom electrode to the top electrode, wherein the free layer comprises a first ferromagnetic layer, a spacer and a second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer is sandwiched by the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the spacer comprises oxidized spacer sidewall parts, the first ferromagnetic layer comprises first oxidized sidewall parts, and the second ferromagnetic layer comprises second oxidized sidewall parts, wherein outer sidewalls of the first oxidized sidewall parts, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts and the second oxidized sidewall parts are parallel to a height direction of the MTJ device.
 2. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, further comprising: a barrier cap layer disposed between the free layer and the top electrode.
 3. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 2, wherein the barrier cap layer comprises a magnesium oxide (MgO) layer.
 4. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 2, further comprising: a metal cap layer disposed between the barrier cap layer and the top electrode.
 5. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 4, wherein the metal cap layer comprises tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), ruthenium (Ru) and above combinations.
 6. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, wherein the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer comprise CoFeB layers.
 7. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, wherein the first oxidized sidewall parts and the second oxidized sidewall parts comprise CoFeB oxide layers disposed on two opposite sidewalls of the first ferromagnetic layer and two opposite sidewalls of the second ferromagnetic layer respectively.
 8. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises Ta, Hf, Zr, V, W, Cr or Mn.
 9. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are 1%˜20% of the spacer.
 10. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 9, the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are 5% of the spacer.
 11. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, inner sidewalls of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are trimmed with inner sidewalls of the first oxidized sidewall parts and inner sidewalls of the second oxidized sidewall parts.
 12. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, widths of the oxidized spacer sidewall parts are thinner than widths of the first oxidized sidewall parts and widths of the second oxidized sidewall parts.
 13. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 1, wherein the oxidized spacer sidewall parts have indent sharp corners.
 14. The magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device according to claim 12, wherein sidewalls of the spacer and the first and second ferromagnetic layers are trimmed with sidewalls of the reference layer and the tunnel barrier layer. 